TPWK- it’s the slogan that you see everywhere. TPWK stands for Treat People With Kindness. Made popular by the singer/songwriter/ex-boy bander Harry Styles, TPWK seems like a simple catchphrase. What started as a pin on a guitar strap has turned into a worldwide phenomenon. It’s on stickers, t-shirts, phone wallpapers, and a popular hashtag on Twitter and Instagram. But TPWK is more than an acronym.

In this day and age, people around the world are suffering from Covid-19 induced anxiety, depression, or loneliness. Especially teenagers, we are spending more time online and on social media, which often exposes us to negativity. It’s easy to get caught up in the pessimistic digital world. It’s easy to forget that the person on the other side of the screen has feelings. This is where something as simple as TPWK comes into play. It should be second nature, to treat people with respect, yet so often we forget. The world needs a little more kindness, and just seeing the acronym can remind people of that.

TPWK is a little mantra and should be a part of your daily routine. Wake up, brush your teeth, and decide on two small acts of kindness you can do to help others. It’s the little things in life that mean the most to people. Maybe when you get your morning coffee from Starbucks, pay for the person in line behind you. It’s as simple as wearing a mask in public; it protects our healthcare workers and your elderly family members. It is being kind to people, even if you don’t always see eye-to-eye.

This brings me to another point. Treating people with respect should always be a priority. Yet, some of the same Harry Styles fans who popularized TPWK aren’t following their golden rule. Styles is rumored to be dating Olivia Wilde, the director and co-star of his upcoming movie, Don’t Worry Darling. Nothing has been publicly confirmed by Harry or Olivia, though. Lots of people are excited about the possible couple, most are surprised, but some “fans” refuse to believe Styles would date anyone but themselves. These toxic “fans” have been leaving hate comments under Wilde’s Instagram posts. The same people who preached Treat People With Kindnessforgot the meaning of TPWK. You don’t have to agree with everyone, and you have a right to share your opinion, but you can’t be mean to others. When sharing what you believe, you can’t drag others down.

If you preach TPWK, you better put it in action. If you truly believe in treating people with kindness, you won’t do it for the publicity. The small actions, volunteer work, or genuine nice words make a difference in people’s lives. TPWK isn’t about parading everything that you have done for others or that you are super woke; it’s about the little things, the everyday fights to end injustice, and just being an all-around good person.